The Observatory At The FRED, Lahore

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“ذرا نم ہو تو یہ مٹی بڑی زرخیز ہے ساقی”
“This soil is very fertile; just a drop of water is needed.”

Allama Iqbal, Lahore 1921
Lahore, in the right hands, still knows how to bloom.

My first visit to the Lahore Gymkhana was like trespassing into a meticulously colonial Pakistan caught in the xenon lights of Modern cosmopolitan Lahore, where the scotch is older than the waiters and the bridge hands more rehearsed than a Pakarmy press conference. In the mahogany-lined hush, Zameendars, Industralists and political nepo babies exchanged pleasantries with the same mouths they used to call for each other’s demise outside the gates. Turbaned stewards, ghost-like in their choreography, turned a discreet blind eye to misbehaviour that would scandalise a Swiss boarding school.

But across Lahore, in Gulbergs humming arteries, past brand new Land Cruisers and Range Rovers, stood The FRED — not so much a hotel as a love story to Lahore. A place where Lahore’s new aristocracy, educated in Boston and London but raised on biryani, returned not just to reminisce, but to reimagine.

It’s a cocktail of contradictions: rooftop jazz under smog-filtered stars, saffron mocktails beside Gen-Z burger kids trading Urdish Jokes, Instagram memes, and equity splits in the same breath.  Because here at The Fred, the past is repackaged, it’s stitched into the fabric, poured into the glass, and danced into the night with joy, style, and just enough irreverence to feel like something genuinely, thrillingly new.

THE FOOD

Malligatawny Soup
PKR 1,150
8 OUT OF 10

Mulligatawny Soup

A colonial relic reborn. Tamil for “pepper-water”, this Mulligatawny arrived to impress: red lentils, coconut milk, and a swirl of chilli oil with a regal breaded onion ring. The first sip brought comforting warmth, a nostalgic soupçon of spiced dall-infused chicken and creamy depth. Surprisingly modern. Quietly masterful.

Wasabi Ceaser Chicken
PKR 2,450
8 OUT OF 10

Wasabi Caesar Salad

This wasn’t your Cocotte-grade Caesar. The Observatory’s version was punchy with umami. Miso-marinated chicken, crisp romaine, and anchovy dressing hit all the classic notes—with wasabi adding just enough edge to remind you this is done properly. No apologies. No shortcuts.

Chicken Kiev
PKR 2,450
9 OUT OF 10

Chicken Kiev

This was the showstopper. Golden and crisp on the outside, the knife sliced in and—voilà!—an oozing gush of garlic, chive, and herb butter flooded the plate. The mash was whisper-light, the red cabbage tart and vibrant, and the roast veg done to a perfect al dente. European technique with Pakistani flair. What a surprise! What a triumph.

Korean BBQ tenders
PKR 2,500
8 OUT OF 10

Korean BBQ Tenders

Yes, I know. Guilty pleasures. And I have a weakness for them—nuggets, tenders, wings, the whole unholy trinity. These came lacquered in a crimson glaze of Korean heat, sweetened ever so slightly, with a delightful crunch. Served without fuss. Eaten sans guilt.

CONCLUSION

The Observatory isn’t just “good for Lahore.”
It’s flat-out excellent—on par with Novikov London, maybe even Ling Ling Dubai. The room hums with quiet wealth, the lighting flatters every complexion, and the food… the food is thoughtful. Global. Confident.

The service? Efficient, perhaps if I am being particular a wee bit unsure yet rehearsed—but always professional.
The location? Glorious. The ambience? 70’s Film noir meets slow jazz meets soft-scented nostalgia.
And most importantly—it’s immaculate     

⭐ Star of the Meal
It’s a tie between the Chicken Kiev & Wasabi Caesar Salad

 Honourable Mention 

This is Novikov London meets Ling Ling Dubai, right in the heart of Gulberg.

Halal & Alcohol Info
✔️ 100%halal
⚠️ Zero Alcohol… that’s the official line, but you know if you know

Impartial Guarantee
As always, Alfie Foodwala dines anonymously and pays for his meals.
No free dinners. No favours. Just food, honestly.